The backgrounds of the two mainland Chinese investors have not yet been disclosed. An unnamed trade source told DecanterChina.com that one of the two investors is ‘one of the founding fathers of the hospitality industry’ in China.

‘In China, enjoying wines has now become a symbol of quality and high-end life,’ said Guillaume Brochard, when talking about the purchase.

The French entrepreneur founded the luxury jewellery brand Qeelin with Chinese designer Dennis Chan in 2004. The jewellery brand was known for its association with Hong Kong actress Maggie Cheung.

In early 2013, Qeelin Jewllery was bought by the French luxury goods holding company Kering, which is owned by François Pinault, owner of Château Latour.

Founded in 1972, the producer and merchant GRM owns 200 hectares of vineyards in Bordeaux and Southwest France, currently operating four wineries including AOC Bordeaux Supérieur Château Picon and Château Guillaume Blanc.

At the moment the negociant sells 15m bottles of Bordeaux wines to 25 countries every year, according to the company.

Under the new leadership, the company intends to keep its worldwide distribution but would be looking to develop within the Chinese market, Emmanuel Castagneau, marketing director of GRM, told DecanterChina.com.